Short Cervix

You will have the opportunity to discuss your scan result in the

Preterm Surveillance Clinic. Management options will be discussed

with you as per NICE guidelines (opens in a new tab).

1) Progesterone (hormone) - suppositories which you put into your vagina or your rectum. Some studies have shown that taking progesterone can help maintain the pregnancy and prevent preterm delivery.

2) Cervical cerclage – where a stitch is put around the neck of the womb. This has also been shown to be an effective way of preventing preterm delivery but does carry a small risk of infection or bleeding. There is also a small possibility of rupturing the sac around baby. If your cervix measures less than 15mm the most effective way of prevent preterm birth is cervical cerclage

If you choose the progesterone suppositories you will take these once a day until 34 weeks of pregnancy at which time you will be reviewed in antenatal clinic.

We will continue to monitor your cervix closely with regular ultrasound scans until 24 weeks. If you’re cervical length is found to be shortening during your surveillance or while you are on progesterone you will be offered a cervical suture.

We will not routinely measure your cervical length after 24 weeks as beyond this stage of pregnancy it is not an effective way of identifying those at risk of preterm delivery.

You will be given an opportunity to discuss your treatment at each visit is you wish.

Due to your increased risk of having your baby early we recommend that you avoid high impact exercise, prolonged standing (for more than four hours). We also advise against vaginal douching and sexual intercourse until 34 week gestation.

A healthy diet is recommended and no smoking is advised.